The Graduate Centre of Holloway Road Campus is currently occupied by students in protest against Vice- Chancellor Malcolm Gillies’ decision to axe 70% of courses- including Performing Arts, Philosophy and History. Gillies’ decision came as a shock a couple of weeks ago.

None of the university teaching staff was consulted about the cuts. A majority of the excellent, dedicated tutors are under imminent threat of losing their jobs. Students already enrolled on the courses face an uncertain future. There have been rumours about transfers to other universities with which WE DO NOT AGREE. This statement is our call for help to save our university, our future and our dreams: to keep London Metropolitan University open to everyone, regardless of their social class, wealth and chosen subject of study. The purpose of this occupation is to present the Vice-Chancellor with our demands:

THE DEMANDS:

1. Meeting with Vice- Chancellor

2. Transparent process and direct communication

3. University management goes back to HEFCE to renegotiate repayment terms

4. Vice- Chancellor to accept proposals put forward by staff in HALE

5. University retracts decision of cuts of ALL courses

6. Students on existing courses which are being deleted, WILL NOT BE TRANSFERRED.

7. Free access IN and OUT of the Occupation

8. No student is victimized following action taken to occupy the space.

There is no other university which offers such a wide range of courses as London Metropolitan. We do not want to be transferred. We are proud to be London Met. Help us save our university and our future.

Hi everyone
A message of solidarity! I worked in admin at what was City Poly from 1979 to 1991, and was NALGO (now UNISON) branch sec for all 5 polys in the early 80s. Then went on to become one of the infamous leaders of Lambeth Council, where I was witchhunted by the Labour Party. Have a little bit of occupying history – was at Essex Uni in the 70s, where we occupied when fees for overseas students were first introduced. The struggle for education to be a right for all and not just for the privileged few has a long history. You and all your fellow occupiers are an inspiration for us oldies. Keep it up!
Joan Twelves

As an ex-student of the University and a trade unionist, I wholly support your actions and wish you every success – it is criminal the way the institution has been mismanage over the past twenty years, and as usual it is the students and staff who suffer the consequences.